Prevent and Treat Insect Bites with Homeopathy

A weak immune system is not limited to the rescued or malnourished animal. Pets are often exposed to toxins, drugs and chemicals that can weaken the immune system. When the body is in a weakened state, insects and parasites can more easily move in.

If you wish to treat any insect or parasite problem in your dog, the immune system must be functioning in a healthy, strong manner. First on your list should be improving the overall nutrition of your pet. Natural diets that are low in carbohydrates are a good option because grains and starches convert immediately to glucose, creating an environment that both internal and external parasites love.

The homeopathic medicine perspective helps owners address both the prevention and treatment of insect bites. Specific homeopathic remedies can reduce swelling, redness and itching and speed healing and others improve and support the immune system. For me, there is relief and satisfaction knowing that by addressing parasite issues with homeopathy, I reduce the toxic load on my pet's immune system, liver and excretory organs.
The same remedies that teat bites can be used to prevent them by reducing the animal's susceptibility to them. This is called, homeoprophylaxis - giving a nontoxic dose of the medicine that treats a specific ailment before exposure in order to prevent the ailment. This practice has over a 200 year history of use and recently has been studied and verified by HL Trexler.

Homeopathic remedies like Staphysagria, Ledum palustre, Grindelia, Cedron and Urtica urens are used in cases of mites, fleas, lice, mange, midges, black flies, horse flies, deer flies, chiggers, bees, wasps and spiders.

Here are brief explanations of each I mentioned to help you decide which will best help your pet's condition. * Please remember, when in doubt or in case of an emergency, contact your vet or one familiar with the use of homeopathic medicines.*

Cedron 
Indicated for use when snake bites or insect stings occur and there is trembling and numbness of the whole body. Good to administer if your pet has been subjected to multiple mosquito bites.

Grindelia robusta
Use for bites from fleas that cause itching and burning, for cases of poison oak, and in the treatment of ulcers with swollen, purplish skin

Ledum palustre
Due to its anti-tentanus properties, administer in cases of puncture wounds from objects or insects that show long-lasting discoloration afterwards. Also use for swelling, itching, inflammation, red spots and rash such as in poison ivy exposure.

Staphysagria
Indicated for inflammation that is the result of an insect bite. The area may be difficult to heal and what you observe can range from redness and swelling to ulcers with green or yellow pus, hives, or scabby sores that ooze water.

Urtica urens
Effective remedy for itchy, raised, red blotches such in the cases of nettle rash (especially if reaction worsens each year), elevated hives, prickly heat when intense burning and itching is present.

You can try any of the signal remedies above or a ready made blended product (frequently found at select health food stores, natural pet supply stores and online). Homeopathy is known to be both safe and effective. It is safe because the homeopathic medicine is inherently nontoxic due to the unique dilution process of the substance from which it is made. They are odorless and do not interact with medications or other preventative measures.

Spring Safety Reminder

As the days grow longer and you spend more and more time outside with your pets, please remember that the following plants are dangerous to our dear pawed companions. If you suspect your pet has ingested any of these plants, please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Crocus - ingestion of the plant and bulb may cause gastrointestinal upset including diarrhea and vomiting

Daffodil - ingestion of the flower, plant or bulb can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac arrhythmias and /or respiratory decline.

Hyacinth (and Tulips) - the toxic alkaloids of these plants are most concentrated in the bulbs, however, chewing the plant or flower can lead to tissue irritation to the mouth and esophagus. You may notice profuse drooling, vomiting, and (depending upon amount ingested) even diarrhea.

Lilies!!! - A few varieties such as Peace, Peruvian and Calla may cause mouth and tissue irritation, but are not usually fatal.  However, Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter and Japanese Show lilies are highly toxic and potentially fatal to cats! Even the ingestion of just two or three leave can be enough to put a cat into severe kidney failure.

Lily of the Valley - The cardiac glycosides in this plant, if ingested, may cause vomiting, diarrhea, a drop in heart rate and cardiac arrhythmias.

24/7 Animal Poison Control Center

855-764-7661

Winter Comfort for Equines

To maximize the benefits of winter turnout and keep your horse safe and healthy, you will need to provide additional resources than you would the rest of the year and be proactive in protecting against seasonal hazards. Your efforts will be rewarded by your horse's good health and contentment during the winter months.

1. Feed lots of forage

One of a horse's primary mechanisms for dealing with cold weather is to stoke up his internal furnace. In cold weather, the hypothalamus, buried deep within the brain, signals the adrenal glands to increase metabolism. As a result glycogen, fats, carbohydrates and protein are broken down more quickly and these chemical reactions generate heat deep within a horse's core, warming him from the inside out.

The best and safest fuel for this furnace is hay. Roughage takes longer to beak down, providing more sustained heat. Thus, when temperatures drop, offer your horse an extra flake or two of hay. Resist the temptation to increase your horse's grain ration as this could lead to colic and laminitis triggered by carbohydrate overload.

Ideally a horse at pasture, during winter, will have hay available at all times. If feeding off the ground is not practical using a hay-bag or box feeder is a good alternative. If you are unable to provide free-choice hay, make sure your horse never goes for more than four hours without access to forage, even if it means venturing down to the paddock just before bedtime to give him a few more flakes.


  

2. Provide shelter

Horses do not need to be indoors during winter, but they do require protection from the elements, specifically wind and precipitation that undermine the insulation of their winter coats.

Shelters can be simple: In milder climates, a single wall or stand of evergreen trees might be all horses need to block prevailing winds. If winds and variable, a three-section windbreak with walls arranged around a center post (like wheel spokes) allows horses to choose which section offers the most protection.

If rain or sleet is the winter norm in your area, provide a shelter with a roof as well. The best protection is a simple, three-sided shed topped with a roof that directs water away from the entrance. Ideally, the structure should be located on ground that drains well with its back wall facing the prevailing wind.

If heavy snows are common in your area, make sure your shed is strong enough to withstand an accumulation. A steeply pitched roof, sloping away from the shed entrance, can help snow slide off before is becomes too weighty.

3. Blanket mindfully

Equine outerwear can serve an important role in keeping horses warm and dry while turned out. Look for a waterproof blanket that protects the horse against average winter temperatures without causing him to become overheated. A horse sweating under a blanket in winter can catch a dangerous chill. With the large variety in blanket materials and styles available, it shouldn't be too difficult to match the best blanket to a particular horse and its environment.

The use of turnout blankets does require frequent monitoring on your part. You will need to check your horse daily to ensure the blanket is in good condition (tears or dangling straps can catch on a hoof or leg and cause injury), look closely under the blanket for signs of irritation, pressure sores, rainrot and even lice.

 

4. Minimize mud where you can

In areas where the ground does not stay frozen for long periods, winter means mud, mud and more mud. Mud can cause muscle and ligament strains and even pull off shoes - not by sucking them off, but by forcing horses to overstep onto their own heels.

Of course, it is best to prevent mud from forming in the first place. This means limiting the number of horses on each pasture, cultivation a good growth of grass during warmer months and properly grading areas where horses congregate such as around gates, water troughs and their shelter.

The ideal, of course, is often unattainable, but you can minimize mud that has already taken hold by adding porous material to the soil and facilitating drainage. For example, spreading "crusher run" gravel in low-lying muddy spots will firm up the footing and raise the area to reduce the amount of water that collects. Avoid spreading wood chips or mulch on muddy areas because these materials will break down and make the quagmire deeper.

5. Look out for ice

Although mud is annoying, ice can be deadly. A slip on ice can injure tendons or even break bones. Bare hooves offer little traction on a hard, slick surface and hoseshoes only make it worse, unless they are outfitted with ice studs or borium.

The easiest defense against large patches of ice is to keep water from pooling in your pasture. By using drains, grading and gravel, you can keep water from pooling. This, though, has to be done before freezing temperatures arrive. * Be aware that it is illegal to drain wetlands (generally defined as any area saturated long enough to sustain wetland vegetation). If you are unsure of the status of you boggy area, contact your local department of natural resources.

If you find yourself with a large frozen puddle in the pasture, assess how dangerous it is. Usually horses will avoid frozen patches when they can, however, if the ice patch is blocking their access to food, water and/or shelter, you MUST take action - either move the resources to a different area or fence off the ice. It is a good idea to keep bags of non-clumping cat litter on hand to keep your path to the barn and pasture gates safer. Should a horse wander onto an icy area you can give them traction by spreading the cat litter around them and creating a path to safety.

When sleet or freezing rain cover an entire paddock with ice, horses who are already out will typically stay safely inside a run-in shelter until footing is safe, provided they have food and water. To get there resources to them, you will need footwear that provides traction and a sled or makeshift skid that allows you to pull your load behind you. If there are horses in a barn during an ice storm, hold off turnout until the conditions improve. Look for other ways to keep the horses moving such as turning them loose in an indoor arena or walking them up and down the barn aisle.

6. Keep the water flowing

Reduced water consumption in winter can significantly increase a horse's colic risk. Keeping fresh, clean water available when horses are turned out in freezing (and below) temperatures can be a challenge. 

Automatic pasture waterers designed to keep water flowing are a great solution and require your watchful eye to ensure they are operating properly. To keep water drinkable in traditional tanks, you will need water heaters, installed and turned on before the temperature drops. Should you forget to set up your tank heater ahead of time and the water freezes solid, you will have extra work to do to ensure your horse has water to drink. Even if the horses come in at night to heated water buckets, they must have water available during turnout time.

Be sure to encourage your horse to drink. Studies show that equine water intake drops in colder weather and when the water itself is extremely cold. Monitor the water level in your trough to see whether your horse is drinking. Some automatic waterers have meters that enable you to check consumption. In addition, you can check your horse's for dehydration with a skin-pinch or capillary refill test.

If you think your horse is not drinking enough, you might trigger his thirst by adding electrolytes to his feed. Another way of increasing a horse's fluid intake is feeding warm, wet mashes of beet pulp, oatmeal and bran. 

** follow the link to a previous post by WAGS Organics regarding equine hydration**

Hydration and Your Horse

7. Protect their eyes

Although insects are long gone, your horse's fly mask can still be useful this winter. Gusting winds an pick up fine dirt and debris and carry it directly into your horse's eyes. Conjunctivitis, inflammation of the sensitive membranes around the eyes, is common where conditions are very dry and windy.

Any horse with a history of eye irritation should be turned out with a flay mask if windy weather is predicted. Masks also benefit horses with uveitis or cataracts who may find the "snow glare" annoying or painful. In these cases, a dark fly mask or one with very fine mesh can serve the same purpose that sunglasses do for skiers.

8. Shoe wisely

Wet snow can quickly accumulate between the branches of a horseshoe, melt slightly with the horse's body heat and then refreeze. The resulting trapped ice can strain tendons or cause a horse to fall. A thick layer of petroleum jelly can prevent snow and ice balls from forming, a better and longer-term solution are snowball pads that pop out accumulated snow with each step.

Always check with your farrier for the most effective options for your horse given its specific hoof health and winter living environment.

Now that you are cozy and warm in the house, the last thing you might want to do is pull your boots back on and head down to the pasture to make sure the water trough hasn't frozen over. No one will fault you for grumbling under your breath, but your efforts to preserve your horse's turnout time this winter can be repaid when you are able to look out the window to see a happy, healthy horse frolicking in fresh snow - and knowing that they wouldn't have it any other way.

The opinions, suggestions and advice shared within this blog are based upon the writer's experience. 

You are encouraged to consult your veterinarian and  other animal health professionals to determine the most appropriate line of action for your specific needs.

Prevent and Treat Laminitis Naturally

An important aspect of horse guardianship, and barn management, is being as pro-active as possible in regards to the prevention of laminitis. Laminitis (aka, founder) is inflammation of the laminae, or tissue layers, of the hoof. Although the causes of founder are varied, they all trigger a disturbance that disrupts the normal blood flow to and from the hoof. Lack of proper blood flow causes a lack of oxygen to the laminae, which become damaged and die, leading to further hoof tissue damage and deterioration.

Some causes of laminitis include:

Hormonal changes, particularly during a mare’s estrous cycle

Long term use of drugs, chemicals and toxins

Bacterial or viral infections, prolonged illness, colic and severe stress

Sudden change to lush grass or legumes such as alfalfa

Carbohydrate overload from eating too much grain

Bruised hooves from impact on hard surfaces

In order to help domesticated horses avoid the pain of laminitis, we must be careful and mindful of what the horse eats. Feed whole, clean grains that are stored safely; avoid feeding sweetened and processed grains. We should work our horses sensibly, support their health by building up their immune systems, avoiding the use of chemicals, indiscriminate drug use and only vaccinating when necessary (consider titers testing when appropriate). Remember, we must

GRADUALLY introduce our horses to pasture, particularly during spring and fall.

While pasture grazing is a horse’s natural food source, it can cause problems if it isn’t digested efficiently. There are certain times of the year when grasses have high levels of sugars that can be harmful to a horse’s system if it isn’t accustomed to them. Warm clear days and cool nights are the ideal conditions for the buildup of sugars, especially after rain when growing conditions are optimal. Starches and sugars are not completely digested before they reach the bowel. These undigested starches and sugars ferment much faster than hay fiber and can lead to an abundance of bacteria and acid. This excess acid in the gut is the very first step in the development of laminitis. How founder develops from this point is very complicated, but basically, the greater the amount of starch and sugar fermentation, the greater the buildup of acids and the greater the of founder. The process depends upon how much the horse eats, how quickly it eats, and how efficiently the horse digests what it eats before the fermentation process begins. (Please note, a horse’s digestive system and process is unique to the individual. Not all horses in one barn will necessarily digest food the same way).

Through my experience, I have come to immediately use the following homeopathics when I first suspect an onset of laminitis.

Aconite 30c – dose every 20 minutes up to 6 times

Belladonna 30c – follow the dosing of Aconite with this – hourly for 4 doses, then, as long as the horse is responding, dose 3 times a day for 4 days.

For dealing with laminitis flare-ups I use:

Nux vomica 6c – dose 2 times a day for 5-7 days until improvement noticed

(This remedy is particularly effective for the horse that appears fidgety and irritable as the condition arises.

If your horse’s condition shows slight improvement as it begins to warm and move use, Rhus Toxicodendron 6c , 2-3 times a day until noticeable improvement (This may take 3-8 weeks).

In the case of chronic laminitis to assist with regeneration of damaged tissue inside of the hoof, I like to use, Calcarea Fluorica 30c, dose morning and evening 2 days a week for 4-6 weeks.

There are several beneficial herbs that, when used appropriately, will have positive influence on the prevention and treatment of founder and its various effects. Some of these, when combined with other herbs, have increased action on the condition. Yes, many conventional drugs are derived from herbs but these drugs contain a concentration of active ingredients to address the symptoms. Because the herbs remain whole and complete in their composition, the properties maintain their natural balance and work together thus addressing underlying causes and treating the horse as a whole.

In the case of founder, herbs can be used to cleanse the body, aid digestion, lower discomfort, restore balance to the horse’s system and promote healthy tissue growth.

For the prevention of laminitis and especially for horses with recurring founder:

Burdock Root – stimulates digestion and cleanses the blood

Chamomile – is an anti-inflammatory, improves circulation and aids digestion

Horehound – aids digestion

To aid the body in flushing out toxins that may build up and lead to laminitis:

Blessed thistle – helps treat liver problems and aids circulation

Cleavers – high in silica, a mineral that helps ensure strong hooves, it is also an effective lymphatic cleanser

Comfrey – full of nutrients, helps soothe inflamed tissue, promotes fast healing – especially of bone and connective tissue

Dandelion root and leaf – mineral rich and helps to clear the body of waste matter and toxins

Milk thistle seed or powder -  Should be considered for the horse that has been on heavy drug therapies or steady use of pain relievers. It is a very effective liver cleanser; if the liver is not working properly the body cannot expel toxins from the system.

Nettle (dried leaves) – stimulates circulation, is a blood cleanser and overall body system conditioner; they are very nutritious

Horses that have foundered commonly develop infections and abscesses in their feet. Goldenseal , though pricey, works well for deep-seated infections. A blend of garlic and hawthorn is a more economical and very effective treatment.

Adding pain relieving herbs such as devil’s claw and white willow is helpful and may allow you to forego the use of butazolidin. Devil’s claw is an effective anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. White willow bark is a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory that is useful in cases of laminitis and navicular syndrome. Celery seed and stalk will improve appetite and has anti-inflammatory benefits.

The use of an herbal hoof pack may help with infections and abscesses in founder cases. One can be created by combining comfrey leaf, plantain leaf, powdered marshmallow root, and a drop of tea tree oil with warm water to make a paste-like consistency. Apply to the hoof sole and keep in place for 48 hours to help draw out heat and infection.

Garlic, kelp and rose hips are herbs that hell strengthen the hoof and encourage healthy growth. Kelp is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and iodine. Rose hips improve hoof strength and condition because they contain bioflavonoids and are an excellent source of vitamin C. Any herbs that stimulate circulation to the hoof will improve the quality of growth.

I always recommend speaking with your veterinarian and farrier when you suspect founder. Treating the condition at an early stage greatly improves your horse’s prognosis and return to sound health. The information shared here is intended as informational supportive education. The more we know, the better we are able to provide effective,safe care for our horses.

Homeopathic Remedies for the Equine Digestive Tract

The digestive tract is critical to a horse's well-being anf is regulated by a number of factors in the horse's life. Because most of us are unable to provide the benefits of  natural, wild, herd-based, free range feeding lifestyle for our horse we are left doing the best we can with the grasses, feeds, interactions and exercise we have available.

Nature designed the horse (and its digestive system) to function optimally as part of a herd, walking 15 hours (or more) a day, and grazing on a variety of roughage during that time. Unfortunately, and often due to urban constraints, horse life consists of confinement many hours a day, lack of social interaction and structure, little or limited exercise and processed feeds. Digestive symptoms that may occur from this lifestyle include poor eating habits, ulcers, abnormal stool (too wet or too dry) and colic. Homeopathy offers relief of symptoms for many of these conditions.

Before thinking about a homeopathic remedy, you need to asses your horse's lifestyle. How natural is it? How much stress is your horse under? What symptoms tell you that your horse is stressed? Do you notice pacing, chewing, anxious behavior, herd bound tendencies, poor appetite, or poor coat condition? Does your horse turn its emotions inward and hide them? What emotional state do you feel your horse is in - happy, content, worried, confused, depressed, aggressive, grumpy, willful, fearful, friendly - these are all words that can help define emotional and mental states that will help decide what homeopathic remedy to pick.

What is your horse's diet? A heavily grain-based diet (especially sweet feeds) will aggravate the gastrointestinal tract and will be an obstacle to effective remedy response. Excessive use of antibiotics will also prevent response to a remedy since the good bacteria in your horse's system has been killed. Prolonged and continued stress conditions will aggravate gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers. If the stress (extended confinement, showing every weekend, irregular feed times, minimal turnout, etc) continues, the likelihood of curing your horse's ulcers with homeopathic remedies is very small. Under these circumstances, you would see better results from continual feeding of herbal supplements.

Generally, most equine digestive disorders are chronic in nature and benefit most from a full constitutional assessment by a homeopathic veterinarian who takes a complete case history then matches a specific remedy to the horse.

Following is a basic materia medica or symptoms (for two common equine digestive issues) that may fit different remedies. If you chose to try one, and it does not work, do not keep giving other remedies in hopes they will work, contact a professional for assistance..

COLIC

A great first aid kit for acute colic can be put together and kept in every barn. Homeopathic remedies in their original packages keep for several years, so you do not have to worry about them going bad. I would get all the remedies in a 30C potency and use 6-8 of the little tablets per dose. In a colic situation, the first thing to do is to take 4 drops of Rescue Remedy, then give 10-12 drops to your horse. Rescue remedy calms both of you. Next call your veterinarian. If your treatment makes the horse better by the time the vet arrives, it will be good have your horse checked anyway.

* Nux Vomica is the classic remedy to use in a colic situation for many different types of colic, from overeating grain or grass to an impaction. It is powerful, but will not cover up serious signs that your veterinarian may need to see. You can give one dose every 15 minutes for an hour. If there are no results, the remedy is not correct or the case is more serious than it seems.

* Colocynthis is a remedy more for a gassy colic, where you can hear loud gut sounds, often without a stethoscope. Your horse may pass gas, or it may be trapped and can be quite painful. The same four doses as mentioned above can be given.

* Aconite is always useful for a colic with a sudden onset, especially if there is cold or windy weather blowing in.

Along with the remedies, I recommend that a high quality probiotic be given. A liquid fermented product is often easier to give and has a better shelf life than powdered versions (ex: ProBi –Advanced Biological Concepts). In an emergency, any probiotic will help, even 6-12 human probiotic capsules can be given.

ULCERS

The horse’s personality plays a very important role in selecting remedies for ulcers. Since this is a chronic condition, a single dose of the remedy is given, or two doses on one day. Then you need to wait about 2-3 weeks for the remedy to take effect. Sometimes the result is slow to happen, but gradually you see your horse happier and more comfortable. Before you decide the remedy is not working, really think about any changes you have seen and keep a notebook with a daily journal.

* Nux Vomica is useful for horses who have a “Type A” personality, like to work and tend to have a bit of a temper. When these horses are hurting, they get very unpleasant. It is also very good for horses who have had a lot of drugs, and many of he horses off the racetrack.

* Arsenicum Alb is a remedy that fits horses with more fear in their personality, also those that are finicky about their stalls, like things neat and orderly. They may tend towards loose stool.

* Phosphorus horses tend to be friendly, happy horses, but can be sensitive to noises and a bit fearful.

* Lycopodium horses may get stressed easily, have a bit of diarrhea, gas or watery stool when stressed or anticipating stress.

Happy Cat Liver Treats

Liver as a food booster or treat is wildly accepted by the 4-legged contingent of my household, both canine and feline.  Here is a quick recipe that both my cats (one aged 19 and the other 8) happily enjoy and digest well. Please remember that feeding too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity in our cats. Due to how I occasionally choose to add liver to the food I make for them, my fur-kids only get these treats twice a year.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cooked chicken livers
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup cooked carrot, mashed
• 1 tablespoon soft butter

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. 

Cook livers on your stove top then place well-done livers in a blender with 1/4 cup of water. 

In a bowl, combine flour and butter. Add liver mixture and carrots and knead dough into a ball. 

Roll dough to 1/4-inch thick and cut into 1-inch-sized pieces.

 Place cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Makes 12 cookies.

Pass the Pumpkin, Please

Two common canine ailments are diarrhea and constipation.  Did you know that canned pumpkin can offer a solution to both?

Diarrhea is more a symptom rather than a disease and is typically a sign that something is wrong with your dog’s digestive system. A lot of things can cause diarrhea in your dog; it may have eaten something that disagrees with its body, it may have food allergies, bacterial or viral infection or a worm infestation. It may even be due to a change in its diet.

In normal cases, diarrhea has a surprisingly simple solution: canned pumpkins. Canned pumpkin is actually pumpkin in a puree form. Pumpkins are very rich in fiber and even adding two teaspoons of canned pumpkin in you dog’s food helps the digestion process. Canned pumpkin has a large quantity of dietary fiber and it will also absorb the excess water present in the stool. This makes your dog’s stool more firm and results can be seen within a few hours. Give your small dog one and a half to two teaspoons of canned pumpkin. For a larger dog give two tablespoons instead.

Another benefit of canned pumpkin is in treating dogs for constipation. It softens your dog’s stool and can cure an upset stomach very quickly. This makes canned pumpkins one of the best natural remedies to your dog’s stomach problems.

Canned pumpkin also makes a great addition to dog treats.  Just add some canned pumpkin to your favorite dog treat recipes to give Fido a healthy treat.

Canned pumpkin is low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol.  It is also a good source of Vitamin E, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium and is also a very good source of dietary fiber.  Some vets even recommend canned pumpkin for weight loss in dogs.  Simply substitute one-third of your dog’s regular food with an equivalent amount of canned pumpkin.  Because it is high in fiber, canned pumpkin will make your dog fuller than it would if you just reduced their caloric intake.

You can find canned pumpkin in the baking section of most grocery stores.
* Important note - DO NOT use pumpkin pie mix as this often contains sugars and other ingredients that are not good for your dog and may worsen symptoms.*